The heartbroken family of a tragic holidaymaker killed by a helicopter blade in Athens have paid tribute to their "wonderful boy". British student Jack Fenton was killed instantly around 6.20pm on Monday when he was hit in the head by the rear rotor blade of the Bell 407.
The 22-year-old had been on a brief holiday in Mykonos with friends before travelling to the Greek capital. Jack, a student at Oxford Brooks University, had been due to fly to London on a private flight with pals.
As reported in the Mirror, his distraught mum Victoria said the family has been left "completely devastated" after losing her "wonderful boy".
She told the MailOnline: "We only found out what happened at 10pm last night. We are completely devastated. He was the most wonderful boy. I think the pilot is in custody, but it was the most horrible of accidents by the looks of it."
She added that Mr Fenton had exited the helicopter safely after it landed, but went behind it and was killed instantly by the rear propeller.
Mr Fenton, reported to have studied at Oxford Brookes University, was described as "very popular" by the headteacher of his former school in Maidstone, Kent.
James Thomas, headmaster of Sutton Valence School, said: "Our school was very sad to hear the tragic news about Jack this morning. He was a very popular member of the community, and we have sent our condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the incident."
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities."
A statement from Mr Fenton's employer, social media agency Ball Street Network in London, to the BBC said: "Our team is in shock having just found out about this tragic news. Our love and thoughts are with Jack's family and friends."
In early reports, Greek officials claimed the 22-year-old had sprinted back towards the helicopter so he could take a selfie - when he was struck with the rear rotor blade. Cops also claimed the young man had been warned by ground crew not to return to the chopper.
But Jack's pal and co-passenger, Jack Stanton Gleaves, 20, has rubbished the official version of events.
Stanton-Gleaves said the travellers were not provided any instructions as they disembarked the aircraft, and no one was there to escort them to the lounge.
The 20-year-old, whose dad Robin owns Bromley FC, told MailOnline: "No instructions were given when exiting the helicopter and no one escorted us to the lounge. All they did was open the doors for us. We disembarked on our own and no one stopped Jack from going to the rear of the helicopter. None of us reached the lounge before the accident happened.
"I've heard people say Jack was on his phone and ran back to the helicopter and this is totally untrue. He was not on his phone and why he turned towards the rear of the helicopter I don't know."
Further to Jack's friends testimonies, the pilot and ground staff were also grilled today. The aviation employees could face manslaughter or negligence charges if they knowingly allowed the party to leave the chopper when it was not safe to do so.
Lead aviation accident investigator Ioannis Kandyllis previously claimed Jack was in the wrong after ignoring orders and sprinting towards the rotating blades while his phone was pressed close to his ear.
He said: "All four passengers had disembarked and were escorted to a private lounge awaiting a private flight for London. But as they were in the lounge the victim broke away and returned to the tarmac rushing to the helicopter at a fast pace.
"Witnesses we spoke to said he was had a phone to his ear and was walking fast to the aircraft, defying ground crew shouting to him 'Stop!,'Stop!' "Within seconds the tragic accident occurred. It was horrific."
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